Ezekiel 21:28 (KJV) says, "And thou, son of man, prophesy and say, Thus saith the Lord God concerning the Ammonites, and concerning their reproach; even say thou, The sword, the sword is drawn: for the slaughter it is furbished, to consume because of the glittering."

This verse comes from the Book of Ezekiel, which is a prophetic book in the Old Testament. The prophet Ezekiel lived during the Babylonian exile and his prophecies were directed towards the Israelites who were in captivity. In this particular passage, God is commanding Ezekiel to prophesy against the Ammonites, a neighboring nation to Israel that had historically been hostile towards them.

The verse starts with "And thou, son of man, prophesy and say," indicating that Ezekiel is being called by God to deliver a message. As a "son of man," Ezekiel was merely a human being, but he was chosen and anointed by God to speak on His behalf. This phrase underscores the authority and responsibility of Ezekiel as a prophet.

The message that Ezekiel is to deliver is a prophecy from the Lord God concerning the Ammonites and their reproach. The Ammonites had been a thorn in the side of Israel, causing them pain and suffering. The reproach refers to the shame and disgrace that the Ammonites had brought upon themselves through their actions.

The next part of the verse declares, "The sword, the sword is drawn: for the slaughter it is furbished, to consume because of the glittering." This vivid imagery of a drawn sword being furbished for slaughter is a warning of the impending judgment and destruction that the Ammonites are about to face. The phrase "because of the glittering" suggests that the destruction will come swiftly and with ferocity, much like the glint of a sharpened sword.

This passage is filled with themes of judgment, retribution, and the sovereignty of God. The Ammonites had been guilty of oppressing and mistreating the Israelites, and now they were about to face the consequences of their actions. The sword is a symbol of warfare and judgment, and its being drawn and furbished indicates that the time for punishment has arrived. This is a reminder that God is just and will not overlook the sins of the nations.

The context of this verse is important to understanding its significance. The prophet Ezekiel had been warning the Israelites and the surrounding nations of the coming judgment from God. The Ammonites, like many other nations, had fallen into idolatry and wickedness, and their mistreatment of God's chosen people had not gone unnoticed. Ezekiel's prophecy served as a wake-up call to the Ammonites, urging them to repent and turn from their evil ways before it was too late.

Throughout the Bible, the sword is often used as a symbol of divine judgment and warfare. In this verse, it represents the imminent destruction that is about to befall the Ammonites. The furbishing of the sword indicates that it is being prepared for use, emphasizing the certainty and severity of the punishment that is to come.

In conclusion, Ezekiel 21:28 is a powerful and sobering reminder of God's justice and sovereignty. It serves as a warning to the Ammonites and all who read it, that the consequences of sin and rebellion against God are inevitable. The imagery of the drawn and furbished sword underscores the seriousness of the situation and the urgency of repentance. This verse ultimately points to the unchanging nature of God and His commitment to upholding righteousness and justice in the world.